Pay Battle on the 24th

The 24th is going to be the first major battle against the Public Sector Pay Cap.
3 major trade unions, PCS, NUT and UCU join forces to bring nearly 400,000 public sector workers out on strike.
I attended a meeting on Tuesday evening at the invitation of the NUT to find out more about what is happening on the day and offer some solidarity. I was able to say that UNISON will be supporting the NUT, UCU and PCS as much as we can within the restrictive trade union law. UNISON has already written to members in schools and the Joint Trade Unions from LCC have written to Head Teachers. We also need to remember that we have members within the Colleges and need to give them the same advice.
In my view no worker should act in a way that undermines this or any other strike, but the law is not as class conscious, it is designed to restrict worker solidarity and empower the employers.If all workers stood together, one out all out, we would start moving the balance of power in society away from the employers, ruling classes and the state. We are told about what our responsibilities are but how many times does an employer act unlawfully by unfairly sacking a worker, discriminating, breaking workers contracts and not providing safe or healthy workplaces. The penalties are not severe.
A worker can refuse to cross a cross picket lines if they feel intimidated, not carry out work normally carried out by strikers and not work at all if the absence of strikers causes a health and safety risk.
On the day there will be picket lines all over Leeds, if possible go down and show some solidarity. There will also be a rally in front of the Art Gallery from 10.30 until 12.30 with speakers from all the trade unions involved.